Related Articles

Cowell is in talks with the parents of both young singers, but it is Escala who are closest to signing a big money deal, according to insiders.

They will be signed to his record label, Syco, a division of music giant Sony BMG.

Max Clifford, Cowell's spokesman, has admitted: "Music is Simon's first love and he will know from the viewing figures that it wouldn't take much for some of the other acts to get a number one hit."

Escala are made up of Izzy Johnston, 24, Chantal Leverton, 25, Nastasya Hodges, 26, and Victoria Lyon, 23. The electric string quartet trained variously at the Guildhall School of Music, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music.

They will be among the acts performing on the Britain's Got Talent tour, which kicks off on Friday at London's Hammersmith Apollo.

George Sampson will headline the 13-date tour and all the finalists will perform, including dance act Signature, martial arts duo Strike and Gin the dancing dog.